Arsenal fans react positively to Unai Emery’s first signing

Arsenal announced their first signing of the summer on Tuesday afternoon, when they confirmed that Stephan Lichtsteiner would be joining on a free transfer from Italian champions Juventus, and their fans have been reacting to the news on social media.

The Switzerland international captain will bolster a defence that has leaked far too many goals in recent times, and the right-back will fill an area of weakness in terms of depth in behind Hector Bellerin.

Emery has clearly targeted that position as an area which needs to improve. In attacking play Arsenal remain one of the better sides in the Premier League, but year on year their back line tends to let them down and that appears to be being addressed.

Lichtsteiner brings a vast amount of experience to the Emirates Stadium with him, after he made no fewer than 257 appearances for The Old Lady, he has also won Serie A with them seven seasons in a row and has played in a Champions League final, so his guile will be invaluable moving forward.

The 34-year-old has also represented his country 99 times and will be a part of the Switzerland squad that competes in the World Cup in Russia later this month. The defender will be hoping to pick up his 100th cap in that tournament and lead his side to the knockout stages and beyond.

He should be an excellent signing for Arsenal. Not only is he an extremely accomplished full-back both defensively and in attacking areas, but he is also a serial winner who is used to being successful, and that should be invaluable inside the Gunners’ dressing room.

Fans of the London club clearly see it that way too. Their reactions on social media have had a general theme of being impressed with the signing as they look ahead to next season.

Solid free transfer signing in Lichtsteiner. Strong leader on the pitch when used & in the locker room. Still passionately competitive after another Serie A title with Juventus, so Bellerin needs to up his game even more. #WillkommenStephan#afc

Actually happy with the #lichtsteiner signing. Will add a lot of experience and the winning mentality to our squad. Will hopefully bring out that potential in @HectorBellerin that we all know he has. #AFC

One of the best things about signing Lichtsteiner is that there is now proper competition for bellerin, and for me bellerin’s performances haven’t been as good as they can be as of late. Wouldn’t be surprised if Lichtsteiner becomes our first choice RB tbh

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